Anna May: A lifetime dedicated to Ploughing

She has walked with presidents and taoisigh, chatted with diplomats and prelates, negotiated with exhibitors and site owners and still has time to have a motherly word with visitors

Anna May McHugh, managing director, National Ploughing Association, at the NPA headquarters. Picture: Denis Minihane

The wisdom of the National Ploughing Association (NPA) in appointing Anna May McHugh as its managing director back in 1973 did not come as a surprise because she had already shown her flair as an organiser with innovative vision and decisive action.

She continues to exhibit those admirable traits but never were they more obvious than on a fine autumn day at Grangeford, near Tullow in Carlow, when she addressed a gathering for the launch of the 2004 championships.